New saltwater fish keeper, HELP!!!

Jade.a.deacon · Sep 5, 2013

Hello, I am new to owning salt water fish and would like any tips and advice deemed helpful please, I have purchased the Kent reef bio marine 94L tank online which should arrive Monday. I would like to know the best way to do water changes and what to use to get my water at the right level, is bottled distilled water good or shall I stick to purchasing water from the fish store? Many thanks, jade.

glb · Sep 5, 2013

You should use reverse osmosis water with a good salt mix. Some lfs's sell purified seawater but I'd only buy that if you really trust the lfs. I used to use distilled water but it was recommended that I switch to ro so I did. If you use a salt mix, add the recommended amount and mix it until it dissolves and then use a hydrometer to measure the specific gravity. A good range is 1.024-1.026ppm.

glb · Sep 5, 2013

You should get a siphon for the water changes. I change 10% of my water weekly. Between water changes, you should at fresh ro water to make up for evaporation. Remember that the water evaporates but the salt doesn't. Good luck!

NanaReefer · Sep 5, 2013

Before you do anything, research research research!! Check your local library for saltwater set up guides or your LFS or online.
Read the beginners threads here A LOT! DO NOT let your LFS talk you into buying anything unless you come here and ask if you need it first! Be prepared to make a hefty investment, saltwater keeping in NOT a cheap hobby. However by educating yourself first you can/will save a ton

Jade.a.deacon · Sep 6, 2013

Thank you very much! I know I've spent alot on the tank alone already! The fist store tried selling me a 100l tank and said all I'd need is to install a skimmer, it had a filter already and the one light was enough, I didn't trust them so brought a Kent marine bio reef aquarium 84L starter pack with everything included! X

Jade.a.deacon · Sep 6, 2013

Can I ask what a siphon is?
I have been researching on google but the more I look the more I find new things I need each time! Think I'll buy fish shop water first and then invest in a ro machine when I next get paid..
Many thanks, jade.

Scutterborn · Sep 6, 2013

An RO/DI system is one of the best investments you can make in this hobby. Don't underestimate it's value.

Jade.a.deacon · Sep 6, 2013

Looks like ill be saving for one of those then! Thank you both for your help!

glb · Sep 6, 2013

Jade.a.deacon said:
Can I ask what a siphon is?
I have been researching on google but the more I look the more I find new things I need each time! Think I'll buy fish shop water first and then invest in a ro machine when I next get paid..
Many thanks, jade.

It's a plastic hose that you use to draw the water out of the tank. Some of them have contraptions on the end that help you get the suction started. You can find them at any pet store. They're inexpensive and certainly something you can economize on, which isn't the case with most equipment!

Jade.a.deacon · Sep 6, 2013

I've found one on eBay a hand pump one which I've just brought thank you! Can I ask what you think of this ro system? It's cheap and I won't need it to do that much water as only have 94Lt tank here is the link to the item on eBay, http://bit.ly/1dM0Mcd thanks!

Eienna · Sep 6, 2013

Jade.a.deacon said:
I've found one on eBay a hand pump one which I've just brought thank you! Can I ask what you think of this ro system? It's cheap and I won't need it to do that much water as only have 94Lt tank here is the link to the item on eBay, http://bit.ly/1dM0Mcd thanks!

For some reason the link isn't working for me - probably a smartphone issue) for me, but if you can, get a unit from either bulkreefsupply.com or airwaterice.com (and include the inline TDS meter!). As someone who bought a "cheapo" unit to get started, I can tell you - go for quality from the start. It will ultimately cost you less money and headaches, and sometimes even heartache. This applies to any reef or even fish-only equipment. With the exception of siphons. I just use a length of food-grade tubing for that, lol.

Jade.a.deacon · Sep 6, 2013

Thank you ill have a looky on the sites now x

glb · Sep 6, 2013

If your budget is really tight, buying the ro water for a while might work. I pay less than $3 for 5g of ro water. For your size tank, if you changed 10% that would be c. 2g, so 10g of ro water, including water for topoff, would probably last a month. Even filling it the first time wouldn't cost that much. I agree with everyone that your own ro unit is ideal. I just haven't bought one yet because I don't need that much water. Just my 0.02.

Eienna · Sep 6, 2013

glb said:
If your budget is really tight, buying the ro water for a while might work. I pay less than $3 for 5g of ro water. For your size tank, if you changed 10% that would be c. 2g, so 10g of ro water, including water for topoff, would probably last a month. Even filling it the first time wouldn't cost that much. I agree with everyone that your own ro unit is ideal. I just haven't bought one yet because I don't need that much water. Just my 0.02.

To an extent I agree, but nothing beats having a ready supply on demand if you run into trouble such as accidental contamination or somesuch. Or if the car breaks down.

glb · Sep 6, 2013

Eienna said:
To an extent I agree, but nothing beats having a ready supply on demand if you run into trouble such as accidental contamination or somesuch. Or if the car breaks down.

I can't argue with that! I live in south Florida so I buy purified seawater from a store I totally trust, but I realize that most people don't have that option. When I get a bigger tank, I'll need more water so I'll be closely following this post.

Jade.a.deacon · Sep 7, 2013

I think I will be getting ro water until I have my fish and tank settled so I can then focus on buying trying one of those machines

ta!

davethetrim · Sep 8, 2014

An interesting read as a really new newbie! Thanks peeps!

justjes45 · Sep 27, 2015

This was great to read as I am a new tank owner as well.
The most valuable thing I can add is I have learned SOO much more here. My LFS is about an hour away, and in general I have wasted a lot of money and animals that I didn't need to.
This is a great place to lurk around!
Have fun!